Top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend won the Australian Open women's doubles crown on Sunday by beating Jelena Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3 in 'a grueling finale.
The victory at Rod Laver Arena allowed Siniakova et Townsend to win their second Grand Slam title following their Wimbledon triumph last year, while it was the 10th major title for the Czech Siniakovaworld number one in doubles.
“Big thanks to Taylor, we're having fun and that's the most important thing, so thanks for playing with me. I'm having a lot of fun“, said Siniakova after lifting the trophy with his American partner.
Pour Townsendthis victory is a turning point in his career after winning the title as a junior in Melbourne in 2012.
“The last time I played on this court I was 15“, she said. “This tournament was the beginning of making my dream come true. I honestly didn't think it was possible for me to perform on this stage“.
Siniakova et Townsend had several chances to break at the start of the match and finally converted a break point to lead 2-1 while Hsieh et Ostapenko were struggling with their serve.
The third seeds quickly found themselves down 5-1 when Siniakova et Townsend consolidated a double break before the American sealed the set with an emphatic volley at the net.
-After trading breaks in the second set, Townsend was again effective at the net with an aerial smash which allowed them to lead 4-3 before Siniakova does not hold his serve to put them within a title game.
More Ostapenko et Hsiehwho were participating in only their second tournament as a pair, broke in the 10th game when Townsend was used for the title.
Siniakovafrustrated, threw her racket to the ground before the third seeds won the tie-break and forced a decisive set. The Czech then lost her composure and was broken in the first game of the third set with three double faults.
But the two players quickly recovered and Siniakova converted a crucial break point to lead 5-3.
This time, Siniakova served for the title, and despite another double fault with three championship points, they sealed the victory when Townsend fired a volley to the net in the middle to win in two hours and 27 minutes.
“I think for our second tournament, playing a Grand Slam final is not bad. Together, I hope we win many more trophies“, the conclusion Ostapenko.
